The Catholic Church in England and Wales is launching a new website aimed at practically and spiritually helping both Catholics and non-Catholics alike grapple with issues around death and dying, and to prepare, ideally, for a “good death”.
CHR Comment: This is a modern version of the late medieval Ars Moriendi, by which people prepared to face death.
CHR Comment: The Great Basilica of Plovdiv, Bulgaria had its origins in the fifth century AD. The great mural recently uncovered dates from the medieval era and was likely the work of an artist from Constantinople.
Source: Great Basilica Yields Medieval Fresco Fragment – Archaeology Magazine
CHR Comment: The stone was part of the threshold for Hagby Church, illustrating how stones were reused from earlier cultures and purposes.
Source: Viking Rune Stone Unearthed in Sweden – Archaeology Magazine
CHR Comment: Goronwy Tudor had relations to Henry VIII. Conservationists found bones under the tomb while renovating the church. Crypt burials under the floors of churches were common in the medieval era.
Source: Scattered Bones Found Under Church Floor in Wales – Archaeology Magazine
Starting in October, a solitary existence will be all in a day’s work for Michael Daum.
CHR Comment: Michael Daum is the latest to serve at this late medieval hermitage. Daum is a lay student of theology and apparently a friendly soul.
CHR Comment: The discovery includes coins minted for Christian Roman emperors such as Constantine I. The find illustrates the dynamic commerce over long periods of time. Perhaps the coins were carried by Christian missionaries such as Syrians who were known to reach China in the medieval era.
Source: Roman Coins Unearthed at Medieval Castle in Japan – Archaeology Magazine
CHR Comment: Rendlesham may be the location of a great hall mentioned by church historian Bede in the eighth century.
Source: Possible Anglo-Saxon Palace Discovered at Rendlesham – Archaeology Magazine
Stuttgart’s art museum says a print by Albrecht Durer donated by a man who found it at a French flea market is in very good condition.
CHR Comment: Durer’s “Mary Crowned by an Angel” likely illustrates late medieval piety before the Reformation influenced the artist’s theology.
Source: German museum rejoices over Durer found at flea market – BBC News
This ancient Christian country coveted by major powers is showing the world how a nation can survive by never relenting in its defence of its faith.
CHR Comment: The article describes the on-going influence and value of the Christian heritage of Georgia, which dates back to the fourth century. The article notes the suffering imposed by Muslims in the medieval era and by Soviets in the modern era.
Seyfi Tunelci long watched in sorrow as the derelict Orthodox Christian monastery at Myrtou in Cyprus’ overwhelmingly Muslim north crumbled before his eyes. Now he’s part of an island-wide team toiling to repair the medieval building and dozens of other Christian and Muslim sites that fell into ruin during decades of ethnic division.
CHR Comment: Sites range from as early as the fifth century. 120 total sites are to be restored with European Union funds. The sites include significant art work that would be lost if repairs were not made. The sites are crumbling due to neglect since the division of the island into north (Muslim) and south (Christian) areas.
Source: Rebuilding peace: Cyprus restores derelict churches, mosques – The Washington Post
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